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Monday, 23 June 2014

Bath Rugby boosted with new coaching deals

As pre-season gets under way at Bath Rugby, the Club is delighted to announce that the current coaching team of Mike Ford,

Toby Booth and Neal Hatley have all extended their contracts, and that former Newport Gwent Dragons Head Coach Darren Edwards has joined as a First Team Coach, focusing on the Club’s individual skills programme.

During an illustrious playing career spanning 12 years, Edwards played predominantly for London Welsh and London Irish. He was renowned for his attacking style of play and this is something he has focused on through his coaching career.Whilst attack coach at Newport Gwent Dragons, he was simultaneously appointed Head Coach of the Wales Under 20 team. In 2011 he was then promoted to Head Coach at the Dragons.

“I can’t wait to get started at Bath,” said Edwards. “They have a fantastic and dynamic young squad, who have masses of potential to build on. It’s a really exciting time to be joining the Club, and I’m looking forward to helping them reach the ambitions they have over the coming seasons.”

Ford, Booth and Hatley, who led the team to the Amlin Challenge Cup Final and fifth-placed Aviva Premiership finish, have all signed a year’s extension on their current contracts, seeing them stay at the Club until at least the end of the 2015/16 season.

Head Coach Ford commented: “We’re thrilled Darren has agreed to join us. He’s got a wealth of experience on both the playing and coaching side, and will add another dimension to our coaching team.

“We made huge progress as a squad last season, but only really scratched the surface of what this group of players can do. Toby, Neal and I are all very excited to continue shaping the future of this great Club.

“We want to build a team culture on and off the field that will create success, and we have definitely made great inroads into that. I know I speak on behalf of all four of us when I say we are dedicated to the Club and can’t wait for the new season to start so we can pick up on the momentum gained and carry on our improvement as a squad.”